Have you recently found a 1957 Wheat Penny and are wondering about its value?
If so, you’re in the right place!
This guide is here to break down everything you need to know about the 1957 Wheat Penny, the second-to-last year of the famous Wheat Penny series.
Wheat pennies are highly collectible, partly because they honor Abraham Lincoln, one of the most iconic and beloved presidents in U.S. history. However, most 1957 pennies are valuable only in uncirculated condition, while rare error coins can fetch hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
In this article, we’ll explore:
- A brief history of the 1957 Wheat Penny
- Its unique features
- Errors that can make it more valuable
- Tips on grading your coin
- And, of course, how much your 1957 penny is worth!
Let’s dive right in!
1957 Wheat Penny Value Chart
| Mint Mark | Good | Fine | Extremely Fine | Uncirculated (MS66/PF68) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1957 No-Mint Mark Wheat Penny | $0.05 | $0.05 | $0.10 | $12.50 |
| 1957-D Wheat Penny | $0.05 | $0.05 | $0.10 | $17.50 |
| 1957 Proof Wheat Penny | – | – | – | $30 |
Note: Values listed are for coins graded as brown.
The History of the 1957 Wheat Penny
The Wheat Penny is part of the iconic Lincoln cent series, first struck in 1909 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s birth.
These coins were designed by Victor David Brenner, featuring Lincoln’s portrait on the obverse and two wheat ears on the reverse—hence the name “Wheat Penny.” It became the first widely circulated U.S. coin to feature a president’s image.
At the time, President Theodore Roosevelt was passionate about revamping American coinage. Under his direction, the United States Mint initially hired Augustus Saint-Gaudens to redesign the nation’s coins, including the cent. Although Saint-Gaudens successfully submitted designs for the gold coins, he passed away before completing the cent’s design.
Following this, the Mint enlisted Victor David Brenner—also recommended by Roosevelt—to create a new design. Brenner’s design showcased Lincoln on the obverse and a simple wheat motif on the reverse.
The Lincoln Wheat Cent was officially released in August 1909, sparking huge public interest. Originally, Brenner placed his initials “VDB” prominently on the coin’s reverse. However, after public criticism, the initials were removed within days. They were later restored in 1918, in a smaller size, on the obverse under Lincoln’s shoulder.
Originally, Wheat Pennies were struck from 95% copper. However, in 1943, during World War II, the Mint temporarily switched to zinc-coated steel to conserve copper for the war effort. The copper composition was restored in 1944 and continued until 1982, despite rising copper prices.
In 1959, to mark Lincoln’s 150th birthday, the Mint replaced the Wheat reverse with the Lincoln Memorial design by Frank Gasparro. Since then, while the Lincoln cent has undergone several design changes, it remains one of the longest-running coin series in American history.
The Features of the 1957 Wheat Penny
The Obverse of the 1957 Wheat Penny
The obverse of the 1957 Wheat Penny features a right-facing portrait of President Abraham Lincoln, with his image covering approximately 95% of the coin’s surface.
At the top of the coin, you’ll find the motto “IN GOD WE TRUST.”
The word “LIBERTY” appears on the left side, behind Lincoln’s back.
The year date “1957” is positioned on the right side, in front of Lincoln’s portrait.
The Reverse of the 1957 Wheat Penny
The reverse of the 1957 Wheat Penny showcases a simple yet powerful design.
At the center, you’ll see the coin’s denomination “ONE CENT” displayed in bold lettering.
Just beneath it, the name of the issuing country, “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” is clearly inscribed.
Framing both sides of the text are two stylized wheat stalks, curving inward to form a graceful border — the reason this coin series earned the nickname “Wheat Penny.”
Finally, at the top of the reverse, you’ll find the Latin motto “E PLURIBUS UNUM,” which means “Out of many, one,” reflecting the unity of the nation.
Other Features of the 1957 Wheat Penny
Like other coins in the series, the 1957 Wheat Penny is a small coin, measuring 19.00 millimeters in diameter and weighing 3.11 grams. It features a plain edge.
The metal composition includes 95% copper and 5% tin and zinc.
The 1957 Wheat Penny was struck at two locations: Philadelphia and Denver. Coins from Denver carry a “D” mint mark on the obverse, while those minted in Philadelphia have no mint mark.
1957 Wheat Penny Grading
As you can see, wheat pennies—including those from 1957—are generally not very valuable in circulated condition. If you’re aiming for a better return, it’s best to focus on uncirculated coins in mint state. Coins in above-average condition typically attract a premium.
Look for complete, brilliant, original luster as the first sign of an uncirculated 1957 wheat penny. Pay close attention to the high points: Lincoln’s hair (top and sides), beard, cheek, and shoulder. These areas tend to show the earliest signs of wear and should retain full luster if the coin is uncirculated.
On the reverse, examine the wheat ears. They should display full detail from tip to bottom. Also, check the ONE CENT inscription at the center for any signs of wear—this is another critical area.
Grading Scale:
- 1 — Basal State-1
- 2 — Fair
- 3 — Very Fair
- 4, 5, 6 — Good
- 7, 8, 10 — Very Good
- 12, 15 — Fine
- 20, 30 — Very Fine
- 40 — Extremely Fine
- 50 — About Uncirculated
- 60 — Mint State
- 65 — Mint State
- 70 — Mint State
👉 Always refer to professional grading guides to accurately assess your coin’s condition. It’s a crucial step in determining its true value.
1957 Wheat Penny Value Guides
1957 No-Mint Mark Wheat Penny Value
In 1957, the Philadelphia Mint produced approximately 282,540,000 wheat pennies. Following tradition, coins struck in Philadelphia before the 1980s do not bear a mint mark, so your 1957 penny will appear without one.
The high mintage of this year makes the 1957 wheat penny common across all grades, including full red gems. As a result, acquiring or selling one is very affordable. Circulated examples usually range in value from $0.05 to $0.25.
Even uncirculated or mint state examples are inexpensive. A 1957 wheat penny graded MS63 typically sells for about $1.50, while a gem-quality MS66 example is valued at around $12.50.
Full red Wheat pennies are more desirable and valuable compared to brown examples, mainly because they are often found in excellent, uncirculated condition. A red 1957 wheat penny graded MS60 can be acquired for about $2.50, but prices rise significantly with quality—up to $4,300 for a stunning MS67 piece.
If you find a full red 1957 no-mint mark wheat penny, you might be holding a small treasure. Buyers should also be prepared to spend a few thousand dollars for a gem-quality coin.
The most expensive 1957 no-mint mark wheat penny to date was a full red MS67 example, which sold for $20,400 at a 2022 Heritage Auctions event.
1957-D Wheat Penny Value
In 1957, the Denver Mint struck over 1 billion wheat pennies, recording the highest mintage for that year. Thanks to this large production, 1957-D wheat pennies are very common, even in higher grades like MS66.
Circulated brown 1957-D wheat pennies typically sell for about $0.05 to $0.25. Uncirculated examples are also highly affordable, with prices ranging from $1 for MS62 pieces to around $34 for MS67 coins.
Full red gems, while rarer, are more valuable. A 1957-D full red wheat penny graded MS67 can bring about $325.
The most remarkable sale for this coin occurred at a Stack’s Bowers auction in 2019, where a full red 1957-D wheat penny graded MS69 achieved an impressive price of $6,600.
1957 Proof Wheat Penny Value
Besides the regular strike coins, the Philadelphia Mint also produced proof wheat pennies for collectors in 1957.
Approximately 1,247,952 proof coins were struck that year — a relatively high mintage that resulted in a large number of fully red gems available at affordable prices. Cameo proofs from this year are also fairly common, but ultra-cameo examples are much rarer.
It’s worth noting that, although proof coins are typically made with special presses to achieve brilliant surfaces with frosted details, the 1957 proof wheat pennies often lack the sharp brilliance normally associated with proofs.
That said, fully red proof specimens graded PF60 to PF62 can be acquired for as little as $5 to $10.
Prices climb with quality:
- Cameo proofs range between $20 and $650, depending on grade.
- Ultra-cameo specimens are much more valuable, with prices ranging from $200 up to $5,000.
The highest recorded sale for a 1957 proof wheat penny happened in 2006, when Heritage Auctions sold a stunning PF67 example for $2,990, setting a record for this year’s proof issue.
Rare 1957 Wheat Penny Errors List
1957 Triple Re-Punched Mint Mark Wheat Penny Error
A triple re-punched mint mark is a common error found on 1957 wheat pennies struck in Denver. This happens when the mint mark is struck into the die at slightly different angles, causing the mint mark to overlap, resulting in a doubling or tripling effect.
To identify this error, closely inspect the mint mark (D). You will notice that two Ds overlap, and the third D is filled inside the other two.
This unique error has been sold at auction for as much as $1,000, making it a highly desirable find for collectors.
1957 Wheat Penny On A Dime Planchet Error
This error is particularly unique and rare, making it highly fascinating to collectors. It occurs when the 1957 wheat penny design is mistakenly struck on a dime planchet instead of the standard penny planchet.
Since a dime planchet is smaller than a penny, some details of the 1957 wheat penny design may be missing or incomplete due to the mismatch in size.
Coins with this error are considered valuable, with prices starting at $1,000, depending on the condition of the coin. This makes it a sought-after error among collectors.
1957 Clipped Off-Center Wheat Penny Error
The clipped off-center error is another intriguing flaw found in the 1957 Wheat Penny series.
This error results from two issues: First, a portion of the planchet broke off during the minting process, and second, the design details were struck off-center, causing parts of the design to be cut out or missing.
For 1957 wheat pennies with this error, the design is typically struck about 15% off-center, with up to a quarter of the coin being clipped.
Collectors are often willing to pay up to $250 for a 1957 clipped off-center wheat penny error, depending on the coin’s overall condition and the severity of the error.
Where to sell your penny?
Now that you know the value of your penny, you might be wondering where to sell it. Don’t worry: here’s a guide to some of the best online platforms where you can easily sell your coins, along with their advantages and disadvantages.
Discover the best platforms for selling coins online (pros and cons).
FAQ about the 1957 Wheat Penny
1. Why is the 1957 Wheat Penny important in U.S. coinage history?
The 1957 Wheat Penny holds significance because it is one of the last pennies to feature the iconic Wheat reverse design before the U.S. Mint transitioned to the Lincoln Memorial reverse in 1959. As the design used since 1909 (featuring Lincoln’s portrait on the obverse and wheat stalks on the reverse), the 1957 penny marks the end of an era in U.S. coinage, making it an important piece for collectors interested in the Wheat series.
2. What is the metal composition of the 1957 Wheat Penny?
The 1957 Wheat Penny is composed of:
- 95% copper
- 5% zinc
This composition was consistent with the pennies minted from 1909 to 1942 and from 1944 to 1958. In 1962, the U.S. Mint switched to a copper-plated zinc alloy for pennies, making the 1957 coin a key example of the copper-based pennies of the Wheat series.
3. How many 1957 Wheat Pennies were minted?
The 1957 Wheat Penny had the following mintage:
- Philadelphia (no mintmark): 1,054,250,000
- Denver (D): 1,047,198,000
- San Francisco (S): 28,320,000
With a total mintage of over 2.1 billion pennies, the 1957 Wheat Penny is relatively common. However, its historical value is enhanced by its position as one of the last to feature the Wheat reverse design.
4. What is the value of a 1957 Wheat Penny today?
The value of a 1957 Wheat Penny can vary depending on its condition:
- Regular circulated coins: Typically worth around $0.05 to $0.25.
- Uncirculated coins: Coins graded MS-63 or MS-64 are generally worth $1 to $5.
- High-grade uncirculated coins: Coins graded MS-65 or higher may be worth between $10 and $20.
- Proof coins: Some 1957 pennies minted at the San Francisco Mint are proof coins and can be more valuable, with prices ranging from $5 to $15 for lower-grade examples.
Despite its large mintage, the 1957 Wheat Penny is still sought after by collectors, especially those who focus on the Wheat series.
5. Are there any notable error varieties in the 1957 Wheat Penny?
While not as famous as other years like 1955 or 1958, the 1957 Wheat Penny does have some minor error varieties that collectors might find interesting:
- Double Die Obverse (DDO): Some 1957 pennies show a doubled die on the obverse. This doubling typically affects the “LIBERTY” and “IN GOD WE TRUST” inscriptions.
- Off-center strikes: Like other years, some 1957 pennies were struck off-center, which can make the design appear misaligned or incomplete.
- Die cracks and cud marks: Coins struck with die cracks or cud marks (raised areas caused by die damage) may also be found and can be more valuable to error collectors.
These error coins are typically more valuable than regular 1957 pennies and add interest for numismatists.
6. How does the 1957 Wheat Penny compare to other years in the Wheat series?
The 1957 Wheat Penny is similar to other later-year pennies in terms of its availability, as it was minted in very large quantities. However, it stands out as one of the final years of the Wheat reverse design, making it a desirable coin for collectors who focus on the Wheat series.
Compared to older pennies from the 1930s to 1940s, the 1957 penny is generally more common due to its large mintage, but it is still appreciated for its role in the transition to the Lincoln Memorial reverse design.
7. How can I identify a high-grade 1957 Wheat Penny?
To identify a high-grade 1957 Wheat Penny, look for:
- Sharp, clear details: The Lincoln portrait, wheat stalks, and inscriptions should be well-defined, with minimal wear.
- Minimal or no wear: A high-grade coin will show no wear on Lincoln’s features, the wheat stalks, or the rim. It will look as though it has never been in circulation.
- Clean surfaces: High-grade coins should have smooth, clean surfaces with no visible scratches, scuffs, or handling marks.
- Original luster: Uncirculated coins will retain their original luster, which gives the coin a shiny, reflective surface. A coin graded MS-65 or higher will have very few imperfections and should shine brightly.
High-grade 1957 pennies in MS-65 or above are valuable to collectors, as they are rare and in excellent condition for their age.
